Application of Geospatial Technique in Analysis of Malaria Prevalence in an Endemic Area of Ranchi, India

Abstract

The fatality and endemic nature of malaria is one of the prime causes of mortality and morbidity in the Tribal states of India. Despite many advanced control measures, India contributes up to 1000 deaths per year. This present study was conducted to determine the impact of topographic factors, socio-economic status, and climatic conditions on malaria prevalence in Ranchi district of Jharkhand state. The Landsat-derived indices including NDVI and NDWI have been used along with the Primary Health Care center’s data to spatially assess the malaria incidences. Malaria hotspots have been identified by using the criteria developed by the NVBDCP, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, based on Slide Positive Rate (SPR), Annual Parasite Incidence (API), and Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER). The Bundu and Sonahatu blocks have been identified as the vulnerable areas for malaria, where topographical variation and socio-economic factors played an important role to aggravate the malaria incidences along with climatic factors. The year 2005 was found to be worst affected observing 17 deaths. Elevation range of 200–400 m was found as favorable for malaria occurrences. Rainfall and average maximum temperature were found to be positively correlated with API in monsoon months, whereas relative humidity was found to be positively correlated with SPR. This work illustrates the efficacy of geomatics to assess the spatio-temporal relationship among malaria host, agent, and environmental factors.